Dani Alves confident Gareth Bale fits Barcelona mould

Barcelona defender Dani Alves believes that Tottenham Hotspur winger Gareth Bale would slot straight into Pep Guardiola's side if he were to join the Spanish giants.

The 22-year-old's name has been regularly linked with the Champions League holders and Alves is confident that the Welshman would thrive in his original full-back position.

"In the Brazilian school, the emphasis is on attacking but that doesn't mean I'm not a full-back," Alves told The Guardian. "Take Gareth Bale, a player I love. He's a full-back in the Brazilian mould, he has a similar idea.

"In Europe [Tottenham] play him as a winger, but in my team he'd always be a full-back. People get scared and play attacking full-backs as wingers. They think they will attack more, but often they attack less and less well.

"Bale is more skilful and good as a winger, but at Barcelona he would be a full-back."

Bale recently hinted that he would have to consider a move to Spain if the likes of Barca and Real Madrid came calling.